New (to me) toy. 1957 Ford 601 Workmaster

[curtis73]

Picked up a new toy this weekend. 1957 Ford 601 Workmaster.

It kinda technically already was mine? Sorta? This was the tractor used on my grandfather's farm for decades. It was used for pretty much everything, and it's what I learned to drive on. Grandpa passed away in 2003, but we kept the farm as a hunting camp, getaway, etc. The poor thing (the tractor, not grandpa) just sat in the barn for the last 20 years. Every couple years I would take the carb apart and hook up a battery to get it running. It always started and ran great. Did a 12v conversion on it a while ago.

I finally said enough is enough and brought it home. Mechanically, it's pretty great. I used it to pull the dead Massey on the trailer and then drove the 601 up on the trailer under its own power. Needs gaskets. It leaks more oil than an uncapped crude well. Years ago the petcock broke off the sediment bowl and we took it off and bypassed it, so that needs to be addressed. The tires are wasted. Right now the plan is to do a tune-up, gaskets, fluids, hoses, and tires. I will get it all cleaned up and give it a coat of paint. I've restored a dozen cars, but never a tractor.

When I was a kid, dad always used to take me to the Granger's picnic so we could watch the tractor parade. As a kid I always wanted to drive this 601 in the parade, and now I can get that chance 50 years later. I know it's no museum piece and not terribly valuable, but it's important to me. Just thought I'd share a piece of my tractor history.

 

[used red MN]

Hello Curtis, thanks for sharing! Looks like a fairly nice machine, always great when you can utilize something that was important to the generations before you in your family. What is wrong with the Massey and what model is it?

 

[waugh621]

Very nice tractor. If i may give you my two cents i wouldn't paint it, looks very nice the way it is.
Nate

 

[michford]

You have a unique Ford as the years 57 to 62 601 series were the only Ford tractors that are mostly red except gray fenders, grille, and wheels. Also never saw a side mount mower on a Ford from this era, very neat.

 

[da.bees]

Very nice tractor. If i may give you my two cents i wouldn't paint it, looks very nice the way it is.
Nate

You bet it does ! I can't recall seeing one with original paint so nice. That little gem will work your neighbors' rice field toys into the ground and come back for more.
I have the 801 mom bought new in 1959 and was replaced by a 4020 Deere in 1965.
3 speed Sherman, spin out rears and PROPANE ! According to the local propane distributor there's only one other propane tractor left in his district. Every time I'm about ready to convert to gas I remember how much trouble people have with gas gumming things up,smile and put it off again. On the subject of gummed carburetors , DO"NT EVER replace the MS carb with one of those crappy things they sell on Ebay.
Are those wheels on Massey mounted wrong side out or wut?

 

[Rich'sToys]

Very nice tractor. If i may give you my two cents i wouldn't paint it, looks very nice the way it is.
Nate

Obviously it's your tractor to do with as you wish, but I'd give it a good cleanup first and see what it looks like. You may decide to leave it original.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Looks pretty good to me.

 

[super99]

Get some Fitz polish and paint the wheels, it will look like new

 

[MrMachinist]

Nice. I have four of the 600 series tractors and one for parts. Great tractors.

 

[DaveBN]

Nice tractor. Check the classified or photo adds section of this Web site. You might find tires for a reasonable price. Check every day for new adds or post a wanted to buy ad.
Dave

 

[Danny Prosser]

I have a 640 mutt it's got a Jubilee engine in it. Their pretty much bullet proof as long as something doesn't come lose and come out the side! Id love to have that mower looked for one for years and wound up getting a 3 point mount. Nice tractor. I learned to drive my grandpa's 8n wish I had it.

 

[Steve in IL]

Picked up a new toy this weekend. 1957 Ford 601 Workmaster.

It kinda technically already was mine? Sorta? This was the tractor used on my grandfather's farm for decades. It was used for pretty much everything, and it's what I learned to drive on. Grandpa passed away in 2003, but we kept the farm as a hunting camp, getaway, etc. The poor thing (the tractor, not grandpa) just sat in the barn for the last 20 years. Every couple years I would take the carb apart and hook up a battery to get it running. It always started and ran great. Did a 12v conversion on it a while ago.

I finally said enough is enough and brought it home. Mechanically, it's pretty great. I used it to pull the dead Massey on the trailer and then drove the 601 up on the trailer under its own power. Needs gaskets. It leaks more oil than an uncapped crude well. Years ago the petcock broke off the sediment bowl and we took it off and bypassed it, so that needs to be addressed. The tires are wasted. Right now the plan is to do a tune-up, gaskets, fluids, hoses, and tires. I will get it all cleaned up and give it a coat of paint. I've restored a dozen cars, but never a tractor.

When I was a kid, dad always used to take me to the Granger's picnic so we could watch the tractor parade. As a kid I always wanted to drive this 601 in the parade, and now I can get that chance 50 years later. I know it's no museum piece and not terribly valuable, but it's important to me. Just thought I'd share a piece of my tractor history.

View attachment 61340

Nice looking Ford. I have not seen a mid-mount mower like that on a Ford. I’m with others on not repainting. Maybe just the wheels & rims? I’m also a fan of the original 6v system…if you kept those parts.

You’ll find a bunch of very knowledgeable folks here, and down on the Ford forum.

Is that a 135 Massey? Nice machine too.

 

[mjsnodgrass]

Picked up a new toy this weekend. 1957 Ford 601 Workmaster.

It kinda technically already was mine? Sorta? This was the tractor used on my grandfather's farm for decades. It was used for pretty much everything, and it's what I learned to drive on. Grandpa passed away in 2003, but we kept the farm as a hunting camp, getaway, etc. The poor thing (the tractor, not grandpa) just sat in the barn for the last 20 years. Every couple years I would take the carb apart and hook up a battery to get it running. It always started and ran great. Did a 12v conversion on it a while ago.

I finally said enough is enough and brought it home. Mechanically, it's pretty great. I used it to pull the dead Massey on the trailer and then drove the 601 up on the trailer under its own power. Needs gaskets. It leaks more oil than an uncapped crude well. Years ago the petcock broke off the sediment bowl and we took it off and bypassed it, so that needs to be addressed. The tires are wasted. Right now the plan is to do a tune-up, gaskets, fluids, hoses, and tires. I will get it all cleaned up and give it a coat of paint. I've restored a dozen cars, but never a tractor.

When I was a kid, dad always used to take me to the Granger's picnic so we could watch the tractor parade. As a kid I always wanted to drive this 601 in the parade, and now I can get that chance 50 years later. I know it's no museum piece and not terribly valuable, but it's important to me. Just thought I'd share a piece of my tractor history.

View attachment 61340

don't paint the tractor. not even the wheels. maybe a light scuff pad on the wheels but thats' it. i have one of those mid mount mowers on a 8N. cut a lot of hay with it. sure easier to look down than over my shoulder. good luck. thats a nice tractor

 

[curtis73]

Thanks, all.

The surprising part about the belly sickle bar is that it is Ford-branded. I knew they existed, but evidently pretty rare? That raises the value at least $20

Yes, the Massey is a 135. It's a 1973, IIRC. Long story short, as Grandpa was getting older (and refusing to stop working on the farm), dad convinced him that he should at least have something with a roll bar and a seat belt for mowing in the WV hills. Gramps got that 135 in the early 90s, I think, but it wasn't long after until he got old enough that he moved in with us in PA. There is nothing wrong with the Massey other than sitting unused for 25 years. We brought it home as well just to get it running, which shouldn't take much. It started life as a WV DOT tractor used for mowing the highways, and you can see some municipal yellow where some of the paint is flaky.

Dad has an itch to maybe sell that Massey and get something medium-sized, hydro, and 4x4. He already has a dozen or so tractors he could take back down to the farm, but dad is like us... an excuse to buy another tractor is always a good thing. He already has a Massey 135 on his farm... along with four Fords, a Boomer, two puttin Johnnies, and.... Yeah. He has lots.

 

[curtis73]

I might be convinced to not paint, but the body tin has some rust that I want to handle. Hard to ignore the call to paint.

Right now, it runs great. The needle isn't seating in the carb so it drips, but otherwise it starts instantly. I'd tell you how many hours are on it, but the glass has condensation behind it right now.

 

[curtis73]

Are those wheels on Massey mounted wrong side out or wut?

Yup. Pretty common in WV to prevent tipping.